View Full Version : Waterproof (Non-Gore-tex) vs. Gore-tex Boots
Greetings,
For the past six years, I've had a pair of Vasque Clarion boots and loved them to death but alas a wet excursion on the Long Trail (VT) proved to be their final trip. Now, I am in the market for a new pair and am wondering if there is a consensus on which is better in terms of durability: waterproof, non-Gore-tex boots or a pair of Gore-tex boots? I'm not so much worried about weight as I am just after durability and comfortableness. Any experiences, words of wisdom, thoughts or suggestions, you all could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
DForce
Frolicking Dinosaurs
10-06-2006, 20:09
No two feet are alike, but I get blisters in Gore-tex boots.
Bob McCaw
10-06-2006, 20:43
I can't make any general statements, but I have been very happy with Lowa Renegades. They are very lightweight and comfortable, and I almost never get blisters. Downside: they're not very durable.
In my experience, though, the "waterproof" claim of Gore-Tex is overrated. If conditions are wet, sooner or later your boots get soaked.
ShakeyLeggs
10-06-2006, 21:23
I love my Vasque Clarion GTX boots. As a matter of fact I am about to buy another pair. The ones I have now have held up well but the soles are about worn out. So it is time to replace them. I bought them back in 1998. I can't bring myself to fix something that is not broken (a different boot) so it will be another pair for me.
shakley, did you do your thru hike with the vasque clarion. i'm thinking of buying a pair.i was at the outfitters in harpers ferry yesterday they were out of my size. how many miles did you get out of yours?
ShakeyLeggs
10-07-2006, 10:26
I started with a pair. I bought them brand new just for it. By the time I got to Erwin they were delaminating. I then bought a pair of Lowa Baffins and hated them to heavy took forever to break in. I then switched to a pair of Montrail trail runners loved them except for they gave no ancle support I then went back to another pair of Vasque Clarions and still have them. They prolly have about 800 or so miles on them. The Pa rocks tore them up a good bit but they are still servicable although I retired them. I currently use a pair I had before I started. When we met on the trail I was tryin out another pair of trail runners from Nike. If you remember I developed a blister on my heal. So have decided to stay with my Vasque's as I never have gotten a blister from any of them I owned.
By the way I am about to try out my new Nest on one of my HH hammocks.
hopefulhiker
10-07-2006, 10:33
I started out with Vasque Sundowners but found that my feet got wet a lot, so I seamsealed them. This made them pretty much waterproof, not breathable though, I continued to seam seal them about every 10 days or so and finally switched to the Hard Rock trail runners. in Damascus.
ShakeyLeggs
10-07-2006, 10:41
I started out with Vasque Sundowners but found that my feet got wet a lot, so I seamsealed them. This made them pretty much waterproof, not breathable though, I continued to seam seal them about every 10 days or so and finally switched to the Hard Rock trail runners. in Damascus.
After I got out of the army back in 88 and started to get back into LD backpacking I bought a pair of the Sundowners. Great boot but had to ditch them because even with a pair of cushion insoles I bruised the sole of my feet in them on one hike. That is what prompted me to swithch to a pair og Clarions. In my humble opinion I don't think I will ever go with another boot unless Vasque discontinues that line.
twosticks
10-07-2006, 15:39
I started out with Vasque Sundowners but found that my feet got wet a lot, so I seamsealed them. This made them pretty much waterproof, not breathable though, I continued to seam seal them about every 10 days or so and finally switched to the Hard Rock trail runners. in Damascus.
I have a pair of the Sundowner GTX's and they are awesome. I'm a sweater (not a wool one) and even with a fairly sizable sock on, my feet stay cool. I just went out on a small hike this past weekend and they rock and rolled. Good boot. On the pricey side but I think they are worth it.